Hydnophora microconos (Spine Coral) is a species of cnidarians in the family Merulinidae. They are listed as near threatened by IUCN. Spine Coral formmarine reefs. They are broadcast spawners.
Definition: A taxon is Near Threatened when it has been evaluated against the criteria but does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable now, but is close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future
Definition: A group of species that exploit the same food resources, and/or use the same feeding or foraging methods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guild_(ecology)